Drive, Chip and Putt brings siblings, first-timers and potential national qualifiers together in Richardson, Texas, for a memorable day of golf.
RICHARDSON, TX. — For a couple of bubbly young sisters, Emmie and Maryn Dudley were exercising world-class patience as they awaited the tallies of their fellow players. They watched the scorer’s every move with nervous anticipation as the results of their Girls 7-9 division of the Drive, Chip and Putt local qualifier at Sherrill Park in Richardson, Texas, were crystallizing.
The Dudley duo weren’t the only ones waiting. A small crowd of young girls were around them, some quiet, some smiling – but everyone seemed excited in their own way. A few had their sights set on the next round of qualifying, while others had eyes on the cool, colorful ribbons laying on the table.
Drive, Chip and Putt, at its core, brings juniors together for whatever form of golf they want to try. Here for the first time? Perfect, take a few swings and have fun. Looking to practice the skills you’ve been working on? You’ve got three drives, three chips and three putts. Are the National Finals your ultimate goal? Well, there’s no better place to start than local qualifying. The competition is for everyone, and anyone. Every youngster leaving that day, no matter how many points they scored, would bring home a memory.
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochheach / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Sherrill Park Hosts Local Qualifying
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
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Ronny Glanton, Sherrill Park’s PGA Head Profesional, said the course has hosted qualifiers since Drive, Chip and Putt started . . . and there’s been plenty of great stories through the years.
“A few years back, one kid flew from Houston for a qualifier, but his clubs didn’t make it,” recalled Glanton. “So, the staff and I cobbled together a junior club set for him to use and, wouldn’t you know it, he ends up qualifying!
“Every year we enjoy doing Drive, Chip and Putt because of the opportunity it provides for each kid. The Northern Texas PGA does a great job running the operations, and we have the facilities to, hopefully, provide every kid with a great experience.
There were plenty of those at Sherrill Park this year. For instance, Maryn Dudley almost chipped one of her shots in.
“It’s so fun. I love it.”
Maryn Dudley, Girls 7-9
Emmie was proud of her big drives, and was grinning ear-to-ear after being awarded top spots overall and in the driving discipline of the Girls 7-9 division. She missed moving on to subregional qualifying last year by a point, so this one felt extra sweet.
“The best part of the day was driving,” noted Emmie. “I hit one of the longest drives of the day, and then hit another one yard further – that was my favorite part.”
Later that afternoon, both sisters would return to root on their older brother, Gray, who would be playing in the Boys 10-11 division. Emmie tailed her older brother, matching him step-for-step as he went through each discipline across the rolling hills of Sherill Park. A great chip by Gray was followed by a hi-five from Emmie, bringing to life the family feature that so many Drive, Chip and Putt local qualifiers have across the country.
And the kids weren’t the only in Texas enjoying the atmosphere – parents, siblings and friends all trailed along their favorite player, rooting them on quietly with fist-bumps and fist-pumps. Alongside Gray Dudley in the Boys 10-11 division was Luke Hingson, with parents Lisa and Corey standing nearby, beaming, as their son chipped his way to a top finish.
Luke had only recently picked up golf – before that, it was all baseball. Yet COVID-19 shut down practices, games and tournaments, so Luke turned to golf . . . and he loves it.
“I think he’s played golf every day over the last two years,” says Lisa. “There’s always a mix of emotions and nerves watching him, but you can tell he wouldn’t want to be anywhere else than the course.”
Ryan Lochhead / Augusta National
Therein lies the secret sauce of Drive, Chip and Putt, too. It provides that feeling for every skill level and every kid: Where else would you rather be?
